Stella4.5

The conversion to C++11 has begun :) From this point on, to build Stella you will need a C++11 compatible compiler (Visual Studio 2013, Clang 3.3, gcc 4.9, Xcode 6, etc). Eventually, this will bring more bug-free and (hopefully) faster code.

Fixed major bug with joysticks, where mapping was being lost on reset, the app would crash when plugging/unplugging certain sticks, etc.

Fixed major (but rare) crash that could occur when state files were zero'ed or corrupted.

Added dialog which shows the internal joystick database (all the joysticks that Stella knows about) and the ability to remove (currently unplugged) joysticks from this database.

Stella is an open source and multi-platform Atari 2600 VCS (Video Computer System) emulator initially developed for Linux by Bradford W. Mott. Originally introduced in 1977, Atari 2600 Video Computer System (VCS) was the most popular and acclaimed home video game system of the early 80's.

Features at a glance

The application features a unique graphical user interface that is completely independent of a desktop environment and designed with simplicity in mind, allowing the user to choose a ROM directory from the get-go.

You will be able to set video, audio, input, UI and snapshot settings, modify game properties and config paths, audit ROMs, as well as to enter cheat codes and view system logs.

To play a game, simply navigate your filesystem with the keyboard or mouse device for the location of the ROM file(s). Then, double or hit Enter on the binary file of the game to start it. Keep in mind though, that you can play the game with a keyboard or joystick device, which are fully configurable from the Options menu.

Under the hood, supported OSes and availability

The application is written entirely in the C++ programming language. It is available for download as a source archive, which must be configure and compiled prior to installation, as well as binary installers for the Debian/Ubuntu and Fedora/Red Hat operating systems.

Over the years, Stella has been successfully ported to many operating systems, such as AmigaOS, AcornOS, DOS, FreeBSD, OS/2, IRIX, Mac OS X, UNIX, as well as Microsoft Windows. Both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures are supported at this time.

Bottom line

Thanks to Stella, you are now able to enjoy all of your Atari 2600 games on your personal computer. We guarantee that you won’t find a better, simpler or faster Atari 2600 emulator on the entire GNU/Linux market!

Stella was reviewed by Marius Nestor, last updated on January 2nd, 2015